Singapore Hotels & Malaysia Hotels
About Singapore Malaysia

ETIQUETTE TIPS 4

I can give you some basic rules of thumb that will help:
• Don't wear all white or a11 black if you're invited to a festive occasion; these colors are for mourning. The same is pretty much true for allblue and all-grccn outfits. Reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows are great for such gatherings.
•Gifts should never be knives, clocks, or handkerchiefs, and don't send anybody white flowers. (The sharp blades of knives symbolize the severing of a friendship; in Cantonese, the word for clock sounds the same as the word for funeral; handkerchiefs bring to mind tears and sadness; and white is the color of funeral mourning.)
• When giving money, an even amount in a red envelope is presented on auspicious occasions, and an odd number in a white envelope is presented at funerals.
•There's no correct amount, but if there's a meal involved, the amount should at least cover the cost. By the way, the Chinese do not open gifts in public.
•The main rules regarding table manners revolve around the use of chopsticks. Don't stick them upright in any dish, don't gesture with them, and don't suck on them. Dropped chopsticks are also considered bad luck.
As for greetings, Chinese men and women are all pretty well accustomed to the standard handshake.
If you're conducting business in Singapore, you'll most likely be exchanging business cards. All Chinese Singaporeans present and receive business cards using both hands, as if giving or accepting a gift. If a card is given to you, read it and make a comment about it. "Nice card" or "You're the director of the department!" will do. Hang on to it a bit before putting it away-to stow it immediately is a sign of disrespect.

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